The Effects of Long Distance Running on the Knees

Twenty-six miles is a long way to drive, let alone run! For the long-distance and marathon runner, those twenty-six (or more) miles equate to hundreds of miles of running, thanks to extensive training and preparation. All that preparation means hour after hour of pounding on sensitive joints, particularly the knees. Indeed all runners inevitably must accept that joint pain is part of the deal.

Where does the joint pain originate? For some, it is purely genetic. Millions of people suffer from arthritis in the United States - whether they are professional athletes or stay-at-home mothers. While many forms of arthritis are genetic, some forms - such as osteoarthritis - can be brought on by injury or repeated use of a joint.

Osteoarthritis is a debilitating disease that is degenerative - it continues to get worse over time. About one in every 12 Americans suffer from osteoarthritis and the risk for developing it increases with age and lifestyle. Like all other forms of arthritis, there is no cure.

Osteoarthritis is nothing more than the break down of joint cartilage. Unfortunately, this simple-to-explain disease can involve debilitating pain as the break down of cartilage leads to a narrowing of the space between the bones meeting in a joint. When the cartilage "cushion" wears away, and the space in the joint narrows, bone rubs against bone.

Elite athletes, such as long-distance runners, are particularly susceptible to osteoarthritis due to repeated stress on the weight-bearing joints of the lower body. The constant pounding on the knees and ankles of runners, coupled with the tendency to "push through" pain serves only to exacerbate the problem. Even one injury - one sprained ankle, one fall on the knee - can trigger a lifetime of pain.

What can you do? Research strongly suggests that regular supplementation with high-quality glucosamine and chondroitin is particularly effective in not only decreasing inflammation, but also in building new cartilage and lessening future pain. This is in sharp contrast to traditional prescription treatment with non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) which only mask pain by temporarily decreasing joint inflammation but never affecting a positive result in the joint.

Glucosamine and chondroitin are two natural molecules that serve as the building blocks for healthy cartilage. In an arthritic joint, those molecules are not readily available to the body, thus deteriorating cartilage cannot be replaced. In essence, the cartilage is "behind the power curve." Supplementation with glucosamine and chondroitin gives the damaged joint the boost it needs to recover.

Tinnitus Relief - Can the Ear Ringing Be Stopped?

There are so many difficult aspects of dealing with tinnitus that sometimes sufferers who have this incessant ear ringing in their head just want to give up in defeat. Some of the difficulties include:

1.) Difficulty describing the sounds to your doctor - Is it ear ringing, whizzing, whooshing, whirring, a high-pitched wine? This is exacerbated by the fact that often you are the only one who can hear it. Frequently, even your doctor's diagnostic instruments can't pick up the sounds, which can often lead you to feel like you are going just a little bit nuts.

2.) Determining the cause of your tinnitus - Have you suffered hearing loss or is it completely unrelated to how well you hear? Is it caused by TMJ (Temporomandibular Joint Disorder) in your jaw? Is it a reaction to aspirin? Or do you have low serotonin? How about an ear injury or infection? There are so many different things that can cause tinnitus that it can be difficult getting an accurate diagnosis.

3.) Lack of a cure -- there are a variety of treatments for tinnitus that may reduce the ear ringing and it could simply go away entirely, but there's no actual known medical cure for the condition. You can't just take a pill or get surgery and make it go away.

Despite all these difficulties though, there are some ways of dealing with tinnitus that will help you manage your experience and perception of the ear ringing. After all, most of the ways in which it seriously harms your life are psychological effects due to its nuisance effect that grows over time as the sound either never stops or always starts just when you don't need it to, like when you are trying to sleep! This where some alternative therapies excel over traditional medicine. So if you want to get some tinnitus relief, then it might be time to take a look at sound therapy, biofeedback, homeopathy and herbal treatments, as well as some relaxation therapies that can help reduce the stress of the experience.

How Can Hip Braces Help Relieve Your Pain?

Hip pain can be caused by a number of different types of injuries and conditions. Your pain may be the result of: arthritis, bursitis, tendonitis, strains and fractures.

Pain may also be caused by a condition called osteonecrosis. Osteonecrosis occurs when the blood flow to the hip bone is restricted.

This lack of blood flow can cause major problems in the hip joint. These different conditions can cause pain, aching and inflammation in the hip. This pain can make everyday activities such as walking or running very difficult.

How Can Hip Braces Help Relieve Your Hip Pain? Hip braces can help decrease your pain. Braces can also help with the healing process. The following are some examples of how braces do this.

A hip stabilizing brace is useful if you have had a dislocated hip, a hip replacement, or a hip fracture. A stabilizing brace will help you to keep your hip in the correct position while it heals. It also helps keep it still which helps the it to heal.

Hip braces can help you protect your hip from injury. They can also prevent swelling and pain by compressing the hip area.

Hip splints are ideal for those that have undergone some kind of surgery. Hip splints keep the hips from moving so they are stable. This stability can help the hip to heal more quickly.

Compression hip braces can help relieve pain in your upper leg. These types of braces can be used for the pain resulting from hamstring pulls, varicose veins, or Iliotibial band syndrome (also known as ITB).

Iliotibial band syndrome occurs when the tissue running from the hip to just below the knee becomes inflamed. This injury is typically associated with athletic activities such as running, cycling, hiking, or weightlifting.

When you need to keep your hip stable but you still need to be able to move it, compression braces may be the best choice.

The type of brace you use will depend on the type of your injury you have. Braces come in many different styles and are made of many types of materials. So finding one for your needs shouldn't be difficult.

Hip braces can be used for various types of hip pain. These braces are comfortable to wear, and they are easy to use. Brace settings can be easily adjusted to meet your individual needs.

Minimally Invasive Hip Replacement Surgery

If you're considering hip surgery, you can reduce recovery time and pain with minimally invasive hip replacement surgery. The surgery involves an anterior approach to the hip. Traditional hip replacements performed in the U.S. use the posterior or lateral/posterior approach. Over the years, a smaller incision with the traditional approach has been used and is less invasive, but it still requires following strict hip restrictions.

The Minimally Invasive Anterior Approach

The anterior approach to hip replacement has been quite successful with the vast majority of total hip replacement patients, including hip fractures. After the surgery, the patient is free to move his hip without restrictions, and, in most cases, is up and walking later that same day. A patient's hospital stay is also shortened to 2-5 days.

After traditional hip replacement, patients must strictly follow their hip precautions.

Minimally invasive hip replacement is performed while the patient is lying flat on his back. A small incision (about 4 inches) is made at the front of the hip joint, as opposed to the traditional lateral or posterior incision. During the anterior approach, the hip is replaced without detachment of muscle from the femur or pelvis. The hip is reached through a natural opening between the muscles. This results in a quicker rehab and a shortened hospital stay.

Traditional hip replacement requires a large incision through the gluteal muscles, which are the most important muscles for hip function. This places restrictions on hip movement for a period of time after surgery. Restrictions (referred to as hip precautions) include no internal rotation, no leg crossing, and no bending of the hip beyond 90 degrees. Often times there are also limitations on the amount of weight a patient is allowed to place on his leg while walking. These restrictions are in place to prevent dislocation of the new hip.

Minimally invasive hip replacement (anterior approach) eliminates restrictions because muscles and tissue are left intact in the lateral and posterior areas. This provides stability for the hip and greatly reduces the chance of dislocation.

Minimally invasive surgery doesn't necessarily refer to the size of the incision. It has more to do with the minimal amount of tissue damage during surgery. The incision can't be made too small or else the incision area becomes too stretched in an attempt to reach the hip joint.

ProFX Operating Table

The ProFX is a special operating table that positions the patient's leg for the anterior approach. Not all hospitals have this table. Without it, the anterior approach isn't performed. For instance, in California there are less than 10 hospitals that perform this minimally invasive procedure. Another reason for the scarcity of this approach lies with surgeons. Most orthopedic surgeons have been trained in the lateral and/or posterior methods only.

Advantages of Minimally Invasive Hip Replacement (anterior approach)

• No limitations on hip motion


• No weight bearing restrictions


• Decreased chance of hip dislocation


• Reduced hospital stay


• Shorter rehab time


• Quicker return to functional mobility


• Quicker return to driving your vehicle


• Much less pain from surgery


• Reduces chance of leg length discrepancy

Disadvantages/Complications

Complications are rare but are similar to complications from traditional lateral and posterior approaches. These include infection, DVT (deep vein thrombosis), nerve damage, femur fracture, and revision surgery. Dislocation is a complication, but is much less likely to occur.

TMJ - Causes and Treatment

Temporomandibular joint disorder, often referred to as TMD or TMJ, is a disorder of the jaw, jaw joint and connecting muscles and tissues. The syndrome affects the temporomandibular joint (TMJ), the joint on either side of the head that connects the lower jaw to the skull, which is vitally important for everyday activities like chewing, speaking, yawning, and more.

Symptoms of TMJ
The TMJ joint is very complex. In addition to muscles in the jaw, face, and neck, it also involves the bones and cartilage of the joint, as well as numerous blood vessels, nerves, and ligaments. As a result, sufferers of TMD can experience vastly different symptoms, some of which can be confused with earache, neck injury, or other kinds of body strain.

People suffering from TMD may experience:
Headache or migraines
Stiffness or popping in the TMJ joint
A clicking or grinding noise in the TMJ joint when the jaw is moved
Limited mobility in the joint, causing difficulty opening or closing the mouth
Difficulty biting or chewing
Wear or damage to teeth
Pain in the facial muscles, shoulders, and neck
Earache, ringing in the ears, or hearing loss
Pain or tenderness in and around the jaw itself

If problems continue without appropriate TMJ treatment, these symptoms can progress to include chronic headaches and face pain.

Causes of TMD
There are several common triggers for the TMJ disorder, including:
Misalignment in the bite
Orthodontic appliances, such as braces
Stress and emotional tension
Gum chewing or nail biting
Chewing on objects like pens or pencils
Fractures, dislocations, or other injuries
Teeth grinding or clenching the jaw
Systemic diseases; gout, lupus, and fibromyalgia
Sleep disturbances like sleep apnea
Extensive dental procedures causing stress on the joints
Arthritis

Although any of these issues can cause TMJ problems, there isn't always a direct correlation. Some people can have a misalignment of their bite or have high stress levels for years without developing TMJ syndrome, while others suffer from it without dramatic correlation of these triggers.

TMJ Treatment
Depending on the cause of the problem, there are a number of TMJ treatment options available, ranging from lifestyle changes that can prevent the disorder to specific dental therapies. For very extreme cases, surgery may be necessary.

Relaxation and physical exercise: The first and most common TMJ treatment is relaxation and physical exercise, which can help people deal with stress more effectively. This often lessens the frequency and impact of clenching and grinding of the teeth that contributes to a majority of TMJ cases. Eating soft foods, using anti-inflammatory medications like ibuprofen or acetaminophen, and treating the area with heating pads or warm compresses can also be a helpful temporary solution.

Correcting tooth and bite alignment: If symptoms persist, a specifically designed bite splint, or bite leveling orthotic, is often the best initial therapy to improve jaw function and decrease symptoms. Adjustment to the teeth or the bite alignment is sometimes required to correct the problem that initially contributed to the TMJ disorder. Repair to the teeth may also be necessary if there has been wear or grinding on the chewing surfaces. Examples can include the use of dental crowns or veneers to correct the levelness of the bite and restore worn-down teeth.

Surgery: In rare cases, surgery may be required to repair a deteriorating jaw bone (when the cause is osteoarthritis) or correct trauma from an accident that might have misaligned the jaw or injured the facial muscles. Less than five percent of patients need surgery to correct their TMJ disorder.

To find the best treatment approach for TMJ, it's a good idea to see a reputable TMJ dentist who has extensive training and experience in treating TMJ disorders. A highly qualified dentist can help to identify the root of the problem and choose a treatment plan that's conducive to your lifestyle, budget, and desired results. Make sure the dentist you select takes the time to listen to you about your lifestyle and symptoms. Collaboration with your dentist is necessary to diagnose and implement a plan for an ideal treatment outcome.

Finding Arthritis Pain Relief

Knowing what exactly arthritis is first...

In the search of expert's advice on arthritis pain relief, I was surprised to find out that there are more than a hundred forms of arthritis and rheumatic diseases. Now let's first take a look at what arthritis exactly is learn about the four most common types -- osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, gout, and fibromyalgia.

Arthritis, or "joint inflammation" is one of the most common ailments today that can cause excruciating pain in the body. It affects the muscles and specifically the place where two or more bones meet, ie the joint, such as the hip or knee. Arthritis signs and symptoms include joint pain, swelling, stiffness, weakness, deformities, inflammation, and limited movement of joints, which can interfere with the most basic daily tasks such as walking, climbing steps, opening bottles, or brushing your teeth.

Fibromyalgia, or "soft tissue rheumatism" refers to pain in the soft fibrous tissues in the body - muscles, ligaments, and tendons. (Ligaments and tendons connect muscles to bones.) People with fibromyalgia may have other symptoms, such as trouble sleeping, morning stiffness, and headaches, poor memory and concentration. Women are at least four times more likely than men to develop fibromyalgia. And fibromyalgia usually occurs in people over age 50.

Osteoarthritis, a degenerative joint disease, is the most common form of arthritis. It occurs when the cartilage wears away, causing the bones begin to rub against each other and making movements painful. Cartilage, a slippery and spongy substance, covers and cushions the bones such that it allows a smooth movement of the joints. Osteoarthritis often affects the hands and weight-bearing joints such as the knee, hip and facet joints (in the spine) and occurs as the cartilage degenerates with age. Hence, it is the most common form of arthritis pain amongst the aged.

Rheumatoid arthritis is a debilitating disease that affects commonly the hands, wrists, and knees. The immune system mistakenly attacks itself and causes the joint lining to swell. The inflammation then spreads to the surrounding tissues, and can eventually damage cartilage and bone. Rheumatoid arthritis does not just affect the joints. Tendons are like ropes which run inside lubricated tubes. The lubricating system is very similar to that in the joints themselves, so it is not surprising that tendons can also be affected by rheumatoid arthritis. In a few people, other parts of the body such as the lungs and the blood vessels may become inflamed Many people with rheumatoid arthritis have difficulty carrying out normal activities of daily living, such as standing, walking, dressing, washing, and using the toilet.

Gout is a painful condition that occurs when the body cannot eliminate a natural substance called uric acid. The excess uric acid forms needle-like crystals in the joints that cause swelling and severe pain. Gout most often affects the big toe, knee and wrist joints. To reduce the risk of urate crystallizing in the joints it is important to drink plenty of water - if possible as much as 3.5 litres a day. According to recent scientific evidence, drinking a glass of skimmed milk every day may be helpful in getting gout arthritis pain relief. But beer or other alcoholic drinks should be avoided as they could make gout worse.

Arthritis Treatment

Some of the factors that are linked to the development of arthritis pain are injury (e.g from sports) and complications from other conditions (such as diabetes), heredity and lack of physical activity. Many studies have also identified a link between obesity and arthritis. Excessive body weight puts an extra stress on the weight-bearing joints (back, hips, knees, ankles and feet). Because of the way joints work, the pressure in your knee joints is many times your body weight when you walk. Even a small weight loss can make a big difference to your joints. Too much body fat may also increase inflammation in the body, making your joints more painful. Joints also naturally degenerate overtime with age; hence arthritis is often associated with older people.

However, it is also known that children, though relatively rare, can also develop a condition called juvenile idiopathic arthritis. This involves an inflammatory disorder of the connective tissues, characterized by joint swelling and pain or tenderness. It can also affect organs as the skin, heart, lungs, liver, spleen, and eyes. Generally, arthritis pain relief can be found in a combination of medication, exercise, rest, weight-management, diet and nutrition. From blood tests and X-rays, you doctor would be able to diagnose which type of arthritis you have and recommend the most appropriate course of treatment. Manuka honey which has been known to have higher antibacterial activity than other types honey is also gaining popularity in treating arthritis pain due to its natural anti-inflammatory properties and healing power. It reduces joint inflammation and provides a natural form of pain relief. To prepare, mix 2 tablespoons Manuka Honey and 1 teaspoon of cinnamon powder into 1 cup of warm green tea, consume this honey cinnamon drink daily in the morning and evening.

The combination of honey and cider vinegar is also an extremely well known home remedy for arthritis. All over the world, people have so passionately testified about how this cleansing drink has helped them find relief in joint pains. Many nutritionists believe that in this cleansing drink you can find minerals such as potassium, phosphorus, calcium, magnesium, natural silicon, pectin, and tartaric acids that are effective in fighting body toxins, inhibiting bacteria and helping the body to maintain its vital acid-alkaline balance. To prepare this health tonic, mix two teaspoons of vinegar and two teaspoons of raw honey into a glass of warm water, and drink this three times a day. It may take several weeks to see the effects. Dr. D.C. Jarvis in his book

Arthritis and Folk Medicine (Galahad Books,1997) also offered the same folk medicine prescription for arthritis pain. He believes that treatment of arthritis, and many other health problems, must begin in the stomach. Jarvis found that when an apple cider vinegar cocktail is taken daily, calcium deposits are released back into solution in the bloodstream to be re-circulated to the bones, thus obtaining arthritis pain relief and preventing osteoporosis.

Alternatively, some people also recommend soaking arthritic joints in hot apple cider vinegar. To administer, use a quarter cup of vinegar mixed with one and a half cups of water. One can also soak a cloth in this mixture, put it on the affected area, and wrap a towel over the soaked cloth to keep in the heat. Keep the hot mixture on for only ten minutes at a time, and repeat it after the joint cools for another ten minutes.

Source: http://www.benefits-of-honey.com/arthritis-pain.html

What Relieves Joint Pain and Arthritis? Flaxseed Oil - An Arthritis Treatment

To relieve joint pain, or arthritis your body requires multiple nutrients derived from various sources. The main minerals for joint pain relief are Marine oils, CoQ10, Vitamin E, Organic Flaxseed Oil, Olive oil, borage oil, combined with a daily intake of 12 fruits and 12 vegetables. The vegetables include, parsley, kale, spinach, wheat grass, brussel sprouts, asparagus, broccoli, cauliflower, beets, carrots, and garlic. The fruits included a person's daily diet are plums, cranberry, blueberry, strawberries, blackberries, bilberries, cherries, apricot, papaya, oranges, grapes, and pineapple.

I will now review a product that contains all of these ingredients, so you can determine what is best. A company by the name of Xango discovered this whole food nutritional blend to not only help relief joint pain, but help cardiovascular health, immune health, cognitive health, skin health, prostate health (men), bone and joint health (women), healthy energy levels, healthy stress management, and cell protection. The product is Xango 3Sixty5, it basically contains everything mentioned in the above paragraph. It is easier for the body to absorb these nutrients, because the formula contains the mangosteen rind in a concentrated form, with the 12 fruits, 12 vegetables, and the wide variety of essential vitamins and minerals.

It is found that some supplements are never absorbed in the body at all, passing through the entire digestive tract. Xango 3Sixty5 is known for its absorption, because of the chelated minerals that increase the body's ability to absorb the ingredients. Chelated minerals have been shown to have better absorption properties than non-chelated minerals, providing you with a better supplement. Taking the capsules with the Xango juice is said to increase absorption. Normally Xango 3Sixty5 is taken every morning, and evening with 1-3oz of Xango Juice, and with 8oz glass of water.

The Marine oils EPA and DHA are omega-3 fatty acids that help with joint pain. These minerals are only made available for the body through consumption of various items such as cold water fish, flaxseed oil, or supplementation. The brain and retina require high levels of DHA, but DHA is normally consumed in very small quantities. However, regardless of consumption patterns, marine oil is very beneficial for support of cardiovascular health, cognitive health, immune, and structural health.

CoQ10 is an antioxidant that produces cellular energy throughout the body. It provides the cells in our bodies to do the basic functions to remain healthy. According to the Mayo Clinic, CoQ10 levels decrease with age, and people with poor health have a low amount of CoQ10.

The Organic Flaxseed Oil helps maintain heart health. It has several other ingredients including omega-3, 6, 9, fatty acids, B-vitamins, fiber, protein, and zinc. The flaxseed helps promote a healthy cardiovascular system, immune system, reproductive system, nervous system, and skeletal system.

Lastly, the healthy oils contained in Xango 3Sixty5, such as olive oil, which is a strong antioxidant that helps maintain healthy cholesterol levels. The borage oil contains gamma-linoleic acid (GLA), which maintains structural, respiratory, and skin health.

The Harvard School of Public Health did a study for the longest, where a research program included 110,000 men and women. Their health and dietary habits were followed for 14 years. The study found that the more fruits and vegetables you eat daily, the better your chances for maintaining healthy circulatory system, digestive system, and good vision.